NEW YORK, N.Y. (Nov. 20^th, 2015)- Junior Mallory George (Berkeley Heights, N.J. / Governor Livingston) totaled 16 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore Nicole Cartaino (Midland Park, N.J. / Midland Park) totaled 12 points as the Centenary College women's basketball team fell to the Hawks of Hunter College, 69-67, on the opening night of the Hunter College Tip-Off Tournament.

The Hawks had three players in double figures, led by Jade Aponte with 21 points, as they improved to 2-1 and have earned a spot in tomorrow's championship game against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 3:00 p.m. Sophomore Rachel Edwards (Phillipsburg, N.J. / Phillipsburg) finished with eight points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Cyclones who fall to 1-2 and will face St. Joseph's College in the consolation game tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

Centenary edged Hunter in second chance points (13-12), bench points (22-8), points in the paint (34-20) and fast break points (4-2). The Hawks took the advantage in points off turnovers, 20-15.

The Cyclones were playing from behind for most of the night, as they erased two separate 10 point leads by the Hawks. Centenary closed the third quarter on a 20-8 run, capped off by a Cartaino three point play to take a 56-53 lead into the final quarter.

In the fourth, Centenary and Hunter traded baskets and free throws down the stretch. The Cyclones took a 65-64 lead with 2:47 remaining after a steal by Edwards led to a fast break layup for junior Alexis Wilson (Bayonne, N.J. / Marist). The Hawks responded with a 4-0 run to take a 69-65 lead with eight seconds remaining. Centenary attempted to close the gap during the late run but three point attempts by Edwards, Wilson and senior Ally Fugnitti (Wood-Ridge, N.J. / Wood-Ridge) didn't connect. George would grab an offensive rebound and convert on a layup as time expired to put Hunter into the championship game tomorrow afternoon.

The Hawks posted better shooting numbers including 52.6% from behind the arc and 43.6% from the floor.

Head Coach Andrea Kendall and the Cyclones will return to the Hunter Sportsplex tomorrow, Nov. 21^st, as they will face the Eagles of Saint Joseph's College from Patchogue, Long Island in the consolation game at 1:00 p.m.